Redcar and Cleveland Council is offering a helping hand to sports clubs that could result in reducing their bills by thousands of pounds.

The council has adopted a system which gives mandatory rate relief if clubs register as 'community amateur sports clubs' with the Inland Revenue.

One such club that has benefited from the scheme is Wilton Golf Club.

Wilton's secretary/manager Ray Douglas can vouch for the success of the system after saving over £10,000 in the current financial year.

The council's cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, said: "A sum of money like this can be extremely significant to most amateur sports clubs that generally rely on the goodwill and commitment of a dedicated few to make ends meet."

Mr Douglas said: "The council has been very helpful and made us much more confident in registering.

"In England alone, only 62 golf clubs have been registered and I'm sure a lot more could benefit.

"Maybe they just need a little more of assistance to apply."

The system is being co-ordinated by the council's Sports Development Team, which has outlined the rules in its quarterly newsletter, Pause for Sport, circulating to schools, clubs and libraries.

For more information, contact sports development officer Neil Russell on 01642-444398.